According to national marijuana eradication data and law enforcement
reporting, there are two primary outdoor cultivation regions in the
United States: the Western Region, composed of California, Hawaii, Oregon,
and Washington, and the Appalachian Region, composed of Kentucky, Tennessee,
and West Virginia. Eradication data for 2006 show that 89 percent (5,262,065
of 5,901,880) of outdoor plants eradicated in the United States were
eradicated in these seven states (see Table 3,
and Map 1 in Appendix B). These states consistently
sustain high levels of outdoor cannabis cultivation because their climates
are conducive to cannabis cultivation. As a result, cultivators--especially
Mexican DTOs in the Western Region and Caucasian independent growers
in the Appalachian Region--have established long-standing, entrenched
growing operations. Other areas of increasing significance with regard
to cannabis cultivation include Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, and North
Carolina; these areas have recently experienced significant increases
in outdoor cultivation.

Source: Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression
Program; U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service.

Indoor cannabis cultivation appears to be most pervasive in western
states, primarily in California and Washington (see
Table 4, and Map 2
in Appendix B). Eradication data for 2006 indicate that 61 percent (246,975
of 403,322) of indoor plants eradicated nationally were eradicated in
California and Washington alone. Cannabis is cultivated by a variety
of growers, including Caucasian criminal groups and independent dealers;
however, cultivation by Canada-based Asian DTOs is increasing significantly.

Source: Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression
Program; U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest Service.

Law enforcement reporting indicates exceptionally high levels of
cannabis cultivation (indoor and outdoor combined) in California, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia. Total cannabis
eradication suggests that these seven states constitute the most significant
cannabis cultivation states overall (see Table 5,
and Map 3 in Appendix B).